Skipping Stones

I was taken with a violent splash when the water
Caved below where I stood. Splash!
The waterfall made my splash feel smaller -
But I sunk heavily towards the bottom. That’s
Where I remained for however long. I used to
Have angled edges — now they too have gone.
How did this happen? The water has been
Dragging me down-and-down… Everytime
I go with this flow I disturb a surrounding
Sediment and also leave some behind.
Years go by — I am nothing like I was. I am
A washed-up small pebble. I have not made
It to the river’s delta. I rest at the margin
Feeling misplaced because the river used
To flow here and curve — now the water is
Quiet. As if I became once more abandoned
By fate. First a big boulder — now a lonely pebble
In a drying-up lake. Again I get used to change,
The days are warmer and the nights colder.
I am noticing movements at moments…
Different echoes surround me. Who-or-what
Is picking me up now? I have not been at
Such height from this ground ever. It is dark
Now all-of-sudden, and I’m shaking in that
Darkness. Again suddenly I am back at that
Same light! I hear chatter of something skip-
Skip-skip. Once-twice-three times… Laughter!
Oh no, here I go… I am spinning and being
Jettisoned. Skip-skip-skip… I am a skipper -
What a thrill! Now I am back with the water -
Sinking to the ground-bed, happy.

[10/Jan/2022]